Woodworking bench system

Abstract

A woodworking bench and related fixtures providing an integrated system of bench features, vises, dogs, panel clamps, hold-downs and fixtures that cooperate to provide a highly flexible workpiece holding and clamping apparatus able to accommodate a wide variety of shapes and sizes of workpieces and hold such workpieces in an enormous variety of positions during numerous different operations. Two substantial slabs provide the bench top surface and carry a rectilinear pattern (in rows and files) of round, vertical bench dog holes. The rectilinear pattern of round bench dog holes with specific, equal spacing between holes, and similar holes in the edge of the top, facilitate great flexibility in clamping using conventional round dogs in the bench top holes and corresponding dogs in bench edge-mounted, or end-mounted vises. Such holes also accommodate other clamping, fixing and hold-down fixtures that contribute to flexibility and utility. The two slabs are separated by a tool trough, and optional bench top ends or caps span the ends of the slabs, unify the bench top structure and provide a fixed jaw for an end-mounted twin screw vise. Optional skirts form a deep longitudinal edge for the top and join the ends to form a rectangular frame for the top. Dog holes in the edge of the top permit workpieces to be fixed along the bench edge using the hold-down, two clamping bench dogs, or a fixed dog and either of the clamping dog or the twin screw vise.

We claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for holding woodworking workpieces, comprising: (1) a woodworking bench comprising two bench slabs forming a bench top and separated by a tool trough, each of which slabs has round dog holes penetrating the top and arranged in at least two parallel rows spanning the length of the slab and forming files of holes across the bench top, each of which holes is equally distant from each immediately adjacent hole and wherein the bench top has front and back edges and two ends and a row of round dog holes along at least one of the edges of the top, and   (2) a twin screw vise mounted on one of the ends of the bench and having a moveable jaw having: a. a top and tow ends,   b. a width substantially equal to the width of the bench,   c. one dog hole in the top of the jaw corresponding to each row of holes in the bench top and   d. a dog hole in one of the ends of the jaw corresponding to the row of holes in the bench edge.     
     
     
       2. An apparatus for holding woodworking workpieces, comprising: (1) a woodworking bench comprising two bench slabs forming a bench top and separated by a tool trough, each of which slabs has round dog holes penetrating the top and arranged in at least two parallel rows spanning the length of the slab and forming files of holes across the bench top, each of which holes is equally distant from each immediately adjacent hole and wherein the bench top has front and back edges and two ends and a row of round dog holes along at least one of the edges of the top, and   (2) a twin screw vise, comprising: (a) two vice screws positioned to move   (b) a vise jaw relative to the bench top,   (c) a first sprocket journaled on and fixable to one of the vise screws,   (d) a second sprocket journaled to freely rotate on the other vise screw,   (e) a means for coupling the second sprocket to the other vise screw in at least one predetermined rotational position, and   (f) a chain coupling the two sprockets so they will rotate in synchronism.     
     
     
       3. An apparatus for holding woodworking workpieces, comprising: (1) a woodworking bench comprising two bench slabs forming a bench top and separated by a tool trough, each of which slabs has round dog holes penetrating the top and arrange din at least two parallel rows spanning the length of the slab and forming files of holes across the bench top, each of which holes is equally distant from each immediately adjacent hole,   (2) a twin screw vise, comprising: (a) two vice screws positioned to move   (b) a vise jaw relative to the bench top,   (c) a first sprocket journaled on and fixable to one of the vise screws,   (d) a second sprocket journaled to freely rotate on the other vise screw,   (e) a means for coupling the second sprocket to the other vise screw in at least one predetermined rotational position   (f) a chain coupling the two sprockets so they will rotate in synchronism, and   (g) two tee-fixtures, one of which is secured to each vise screw adjacent to the sprocket journaled on the respective vise screw and     wherein the means for coupling comprises a spring-loaded, retractable pin positioned in and protruding from one of (i) the second sprocket or   (ii) the tee fixture secured to the other vise screw     so that the pin may be received within a depression in the other of (i) the second sprocket or   (ii) the tee fixture secured to the other vise screw     when the pin is not retracted.   
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: (h) two thrust plates, one of which is journaled on each of the vise screws,   (i) a dust cover affixed to the vise jaw and substantially surrounding the chain,   (j) two handles, one of which is positioned within each tee fixture in order to facilitate rotation of the tee fixture, and   (k) a means for fixing each handle to the tee fixture within which it is positioned.   
     
     
       5. Apparatus for a woodworking bench having a twin screw vise utilizing a movable jaw and a fixed jaw, comprising: a. two bench top slabs, each of which slabs has round dog holes penetrating the slab and arranged in two parallel rows of equally spaced holes spanning the length of the slab,   b. two vise screw assemblies, each comprising: (i) a vise screw attached to   (ii) a tee fixture,   (iii) a sprocket journalable on the vise screw,   (iv) a thrust plate journalable on the vise screw for attachment to the movable jaw, and   (v) a flanged nut for receiving the vise screw and attachment to the fixed jaw,     c. at least one set screw threaded into one of the sprockets for fixing that sprocket on one of the vise screws,   d. a means for intermittently coupling the other sprocket to the other vise screw comprising a spring-loaded, retractable pin positioned in and protruding from one of (i) the other sprocket or   (ii) the tee fixture fixed to the other vise screw     to be received within a depression in the other of (i) the other sprocket or   (ii) the tee fixture fixed to the other vise screw     when the pin is not retracted, and   e. a chain for coupling the two sprockets.   
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: f. a handle positionable in each of the tee fixtures,   g. a means for fixing the handles in each of the tee fixtures, and   h. a dust cover affixable to the movable jaw for substantially surrounding the chain when it is positioned to couple the sprockets.   
     
     
       7. An apparatus for holding woodworking workpieces, comprising: (a) a woodworking bench comprising two bench slabs forming a bench top and separated by a tool trough, each of which slabs has round dog holes penetrating the top and arranged in at least two parallel rows spanning the length of the slab and forming files of holes across the bench top, each of which holes is equally distant from each immediately adjacent hole,   (b) at least one bench dog inserted in one of the dog holes, and   (c) at least one clamping bench dog inserted in the another of the holes for clamping a workpiece against the bench dog, the clamping bench dog comprising: i. a post having two end sand a threaded bore near one of the ends of the post,   ii. a screw having two ends and journaled in the threaded bore,   iii. a pad rotatably fixed on one of the ends of the screw,   iv. means on the other end of the screw for rotating the screw, and   v. means for increasing friction between the post and a dog hole within which it is positioned.     
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the screw rotating means is a handle pivotably attached to the other end of the screw. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the handle is a section of round rod substantially the same diameter as the screw. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the post is round and the friction increasing means is a wire spring having two ends, one of which ends is fixed to the post. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the post has a longitudinal axis and the bore is located on an axis rotated approximately 87° from the post longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pad is tiltably fixed on the end of the screw. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus for holding woodworking workpieces, comprising: a. at least one slab having at least two dog holes,   b. at least one bench dog inserted in one of the holes,   c. at least one clamping bench dog inserted in the other of the holes for clamping a workpiece against the bench dog comprising: i. a post having two ends and a threaded bore near one of the ends of the post,   ii. a screw having two ends and journaled in the threaded bore,   iii. a pad rotatably fixed on one of the ends of the screw,   iv. means on the other end of the screw for rotating the screw, and   v. means for increasing friction between the post and the dog hole within which it is positioned, wherein the post is round and the friction increasing means is a wire spring having two ends, one of which ends is fixed to the post.     
     
     
       14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the screw rotating means is a handle pivotably attached to the other end of the screw. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the handle is a section of round rod substantially the same diameter as the screw. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the post has a longitudinal axis and the bore is located on an axis rotated approximately 87° from the post longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the pad is tiltably fixed on the end of the screw. 
     
     
       18. An apparatus for holding woodworking workpieces, comprising: (1) a woodworking bench comprising two bench slabs forming a bench top and separated by a tool trough, each of which slabs has round dog holes penetrating the top and arranged in at least two parallel rows spanning the length of the slab and forming files of holes across the bench top, each of which holes is equally distant from each immediately adjacent hole, and   (2) a panel clamping fixture, comprising: a. a clamping rail having at least two holes, each of which matches a hole in the bench,   b. a fixed jaw post having two post ends and a pad centrally located on the fixed post, one of which post ends is received in one of the holes in one of the rail or the bench, and the other of which post ends is received in one of the holes in the other of the rail or the bench, and   c. a clamping jaw assembly comprising a clamping post having two ends and a threaded hole through which a clamping screw is journaled to bear against a clamping pad, one of which clamping post ends is received in another of the holes in the rail or the bench and the other of which clamping post ends is received in the matching hole in the other of the rail or the bench.     
     
     
       19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a means for limiting the extent of penetration of one end of the clamping jaw post into a rail hole. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the means for limiting penetration is an O-ring positioned on the clamping jaw post. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a means for increasing friction between the posts and the rails. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the friction increasing means comprises a barb-shaped thread formed on the surface of each post. 
     
     
       23. An apparatus for clamping panels, comprising: a. a woodworking bench comprising two bench slabs forming a bench top and separated by a tool trough, each of which slabs has round dog holes penetrating the top and arranged in at least two parallel rows spanning the length of the slab and forming files of holes across the bench top, each of which holes is equally distant from each immediately adjacent hole,   b. a clamping rail having at least two holes, each of which matches a hole in the bench,   c. a fixed jaw post having two post ends and a pad centrally located on the fixed post, one of which post ends is received in one of the holes in one of the rail or the bench, and the other of which post ends is received in one of the holes in the other of the rail or the bench,   d. a clamping jaw assembly comprising a clamping post having two ends and a threaded hole through which a clamping screw is journaled to bear against a clamping pad, one of which clamping post ends is received in another of the holes in the rail or the bench and the other of which clamping post ends is received in the matching hole in the other of the rail or the bench.   
     
     
       24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising a means for limiting the extent of penetration of one end of the clamping jaw post into a rail hole. 
     
     
       25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the means for limiting penetration is an O-ring positioned on the clamping jaw post. 
     
     
       26. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising a means for increasing friction between the posts and the rails. 
     
     
       27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the friction increasing means comprises a barb-shaped thread formed on the surface of each post. 
     
     
       28. An apparatus for clamping panels, comprising: a. a slab penetrated by at least two holes,   b. a clamping rail having at least two holes, each of which matches a hole in the slab,   c. a fixed jaw post having two post ends and a pad centrally located on the fixed post, one of which post ends is received in one of the holes in one of the rail or the slab, and the other of which post ends is received in one of the holes in the other of the rail or the slab,   d. a clamping jaw assembly comprising a clamping post having two ends and a threaded hole through which a clamping screw is journaled to bear against a clamping pad, one of which clamping post ends is received in another of the holes in the rail or the slab and the other of which clamping post ends is received in the matching hole in the other of the rail or the slab.   
     
     
       29. An apparatus for holding woodworking workpieces, comprising: (1) a woodworking bench comprising two bench slabs forming a bench top and separated by a tool trough, each of which slabs has round dog holes penetrating the top and arranged in at least two parallel rows spanning the length of the slab and forming files of holes across the bench top, each of which holes is equally distant from each immediately adjacent hole,   (2) a hold-down positioned in one of the holes, the hold-down comprising: (a) a round post having a longitudinal axis,   (b) a body fixed to the post,   (c) an arm pivotably attached to the body, and   (d) means for causing the arm to pivot by exerting pressure on the body at a point removed from the axis of the post, x. wherein the body contains a T-shaped slot and   y. the means for exerting pressure comprises a screw threaded into the arm and having a head that is positioned within the slot so that the screw may be rotated to apply pressure through the screw head against the body but substantial movement of the screw head away from the body is resisted by the portions of the body that form the T-shaped slot.       
     
     
       30. An apparatus for holding woodworking workpieces, comprising: (1) a woodworking bench comprising two bench slabs forming a bench top and separated by a tool trough, each of which slabs has round dog holes penetrating the top and arranged in at least two parallel rows spanning the length of the slab and forming files of holes across the bench top, each of which holes is equally distant from each immediately adjacent hole, and   (2) a hold-down positioned in one of the holes, the hold-down comprising: (a) a round post having annular grooves that form barb-like projections along a portion of the post and threads on one end to be received in   (b) a body (i) containing a threaded bore for receiving the threaded end of the post and   (ii) forming (x) a yoke comprising two forks positioned on one side of the threaded bore and   (y) a bearing surface and a T-shaped slot on the other side of the threaded bore, and       (c) a pin that passes through the forks of the yoke and through   (d) an arm that pivots on the pin and terminates at one end in a foot having a rounded pad for bearing against a workpiece and contains at its other end a threaded bore within which is journaled   (e) a screw having on one end a head that is captured within the T-shaped slot and on its other end   (f) a knob for rotating the screw so that the head bears against the bearing surface on the body, thereby causing the arm to pivot as the screw is rotated.     
     
     
       31. A workpiece holding fixture, comprising: a. a woodworking bench comprising two bench slabs forming a bench top and separated by a tool trough, each of which slabs has round dog holes penetrating the top and arranged in at least two parallel rows spanning the length of the slab and forming files of holes across the bench top, each of which holes is equally distant from each immediately adjacent hole, and   b. a hold-down positioned in one of the holes, comprising: i. a round post having a longitudinal axis,   ii. a body fixed to the post,   iii. an arm pivotably attached to the body, and   iv. means for causing the arm to pivot by exerting pressure on the body at a point removed from the axis of the post,     c. wherein the body contains a T-shaped slot and   d. the means for exerting pressure comprises a screw threaded into the arm and having a had that is positioned within the slot so that the screw may be rotated to apply pressure through the screw head against the body but substantial movement of the screw head away from the body is resisted by the portions of the body that form the T-shaped slot.